Growth response to a GH-autotransgenesis in common carp Cyprinus carpio

Abstract

Autotransgenic manipulation with a growth hormone (GH)-construct is a potential approach to improving the growth rates of farmed fish. Here, we present the generation of GH-autotransgenic common carp Cyprinus carpio carrying a transgene comprised of the carp homologous GH gene and a β-actin regulator. Autotransgenic carp showed similar viability to their non-transgenic siblings. Early growth characteristics of founder autotransgenic carp up to 50 days postfertilization were highly variable among individuals; i.e., some fish exhibited significant growth depression, while others showed dramatic acceleration of growth, achieving greater than sixfold increases in body weight relative to their non-transgenic counterparts. Stimulated growth performance became more notable with age and many transgenic individuals of the largest class reached 5 kg within 8 or 9 months, which is at least 10 times heavier than the average body weight of communally grown non-transgenics. Four of six founder transgenic males were successful in passing the transgene to their F1 offspring with frequencies ranging from 19 to 36%. Growth stimulations were also persistent in all F1 progeny groups examined. © The Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science.